Device for visual training



Dec. 1, 1953 c, w, o -r 2,661,444

DEVICE FOR VISUAL TRAINING Filed March 21, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 1, 1953 c. w. OTT 2,661,444

DEVICE FOR VISUAL TRAINING Filed March 21, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 POL N.

missm'z Patented Dec. 1, 1953 UNITED OFFICE 3 Claims. 1

My invention relates to a stereoscopic device for use by optometrists in visual training for the treatment and correction of defects of vision of the human eyes.

Among the objects of my invention is to provide such a single device which is capable of being used to perform all of the current visual training techniques.

At the present time, each form of training requires a special and separate instrument, so that the purchase of all of the necessary instruments is beyond the financial reach of the average optometrist.

It is a further object of my invention to provide such a device having a timing control which is capable of producing a wide variety of sequences of lighting, including all of those currently used in visual training. Another object of my invention is to provide such a device having lenses which may be used with all types of stereographic targets, regardless of their orthophoric separation.

My invention also comprises such other ob jects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear in which are inherently possessed by my invention.

While I have shown in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of my invention, yet it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. l is a front elevational View of my complete device; Fig. 2 is a detailed sectional view of the upper portion of my device taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side view of one of my lenses; Fig. 4 is a front view of one of my lenses; Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the timing control mechanism of my device; Fig. 6 is a detailed sectional view of the same taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5; Fig, '7 is a front elevational view of the timing control mechanism of my device; Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the timing mechanism controls of my device; Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of a portion of my timing control plate; Fig. 10 is a detailed sectional view of the mounting of my timing control plate and switches; and Fig. 11 is an electrical wiring diagram of my device.

A preferred embodiment of my invention comprises a base iii, which is substantially rectangular in shape. Fitted over base is is a u-shaped pedestal ll. Extending upwardly from the top of pedestal H at eachend thereof is a pair of upright members l2 and 13. A mounting bracket it is ivotally attached to upright members 12 and I3 by a pair of bolts !5 and it.

A large hollow box i1 is attached to mounting bracket M by a bolt l3. Box I; has closed sides, top and bottom. The lower portion of the front of box IT is closed and the upper portion is open.

The angle of box 17 with respect to base l0 may be controlled by pivoting box ll on bolts 15 and It. Box ll may be held at the desired angle by a manually operated lock control l9. Lock control 58 comprises a knurled hand member 20 and a screw threaded shaft 2 l, which extends through a screw threaded opening in upright member I?! and contacts the side of mounting bracket It. When box if is in the position desired, lock control I?! may be tightened by turn ing hand member 25} in a clockwise direction so that the end of shaft 2! bears firmly against the side of mounting bracket Hi and prevents any movement thereof.

Mounted across the open upper portion of the front of box I"! is a plate of translucent or diffusion glass 22. A horizontal septum 23 extends across substantially the entire bottom of the inside of box ii, on a line perpendicular to the bottom edge of glass 22 Attached to the center of horizontal septum 23 is a vertical septum 24, which extends from horizontal septum 23 to the top of box H. The inside of box I! is thus divided into two separate compartments which are equal in size. The walls of these compartments are preferably colored white to reflect light.

Mounted on vertical septum 2G is a pair of electrical light sockets 25 and 25, in which are mounted electric light bulbs 2? and 23, providing a separate light for each compartment of box l'l. Light bulbs 2'! and 28 are preferably 25 watt bulbs.

Mounted in the bottom of box ll adjacent one end thereof are two rheostats 2t and 3!}, which are electrically wired to control the amount of voltage applied to light bulbs 2.? and 28 and thus control the intensity of their light. Rheostats 29 and 36 have hand control members 35 and 32, which are positioned on the outside of box 1 l for easy manual control.

Positioned adjacent the front of box I? and adjacent the lower edge of glass 22 are two light holders 33 and 3 Mounted within light holders 33 and 3% are electric light sockets 35 and 36, which hold light bulbs 3i and 38. Light bulbs 37 and 33 are preferably 10 watt bulbs. Light holders 3% and {it are opaque except at the top, so that they direct the light from bulbs 37 and 38 toward glass 22.

Mounted in the bottom of box if adjacent rheostats 29 and 30 is a three positioned toggle 3 switch 35, the hand control of which extends outwardly from box if. When switch 39 is in the center position, it is turned off and none of the light bulbs will operate. When switch 39 is in the upper position, an electric circuit is closed through switch 59 to light bulbs 2i and 28 and rheostats 25) and 35. When switch 39 is in the lower position, an electric circuit is closed through switch 35 to the outside light bulbs 31 and 38 and rheostats 29 and 36.

Positioned directly in front of plate 22 of box ll is a headpiece til, which has two lens openings 4! and s2 corresponding in size and position to the human eyes. Headpiece 49 is removably attached by means of a wing nut 43 to a plate 44, which is attached to three shafts 45, 46 and 47. The outer shafts 45 and 4": are round and extend into the interior of box ll. Center shaft 45 likewise extends into the interior of box ll, but is square in shape, with gear teeth extending along its bottom edge.

A headpiece control rod 48 extends into box I! from one side thereof transversely to shafts 45, 46 and ll. Mounted on control rod 48 is a round gear 49, which engages the teeth on the bottom edge of, center shaft 46. A knurled hand control member 55 is attached to the outer end of control rod 48. Hand control member 55 is used to regulate the distance between headpiece 45 and box l1. When hand control member 50 is turned, it causes gear 49 to turn, thus moving center shaft 45 and headpiece 45 toward or away from box ll,

Mounted on the outside of box I! surrounding control rod 48 is a circular distance chart having three sets of dial markings. The outer set of markings is in diopters, to indicate the power of the light which reaches the eyes. The middle set is in inches, to indicate the apparent distance of the target from the lens and the inner set is in millimeters to indicate the actual distance of the target from the lens. Mounted above circular distance chart 5! is a transparent plastic indicator 52, which extends over chart 5| and has a line which marks the setting at any given time.

Extending along the entire front edge of box ll adjacent plate 22 is a trough 53, which is adapted to hold stereographs or targets which are stereoscopic pictures or patterns used in visual training.

Mounted on base If! is the timing mechanism of my device, the principal element of which is the timing control plate 54. Plate 54 is preferably made of engravers brass. Through the use of a silk screen or lithographing process, it is etched with a design. This design is superimposed with asphalt paint, which is impervious to acid and all portions of the plate not so covered are etched with acid to a depth of inch. The design of timing control plate when so etched comprises a plurality of concentric circular paths on which the high and low spots correspond to desired lighting sequences.

Timing control plate 54 is rotatably mounted on a center shaft and is provided with gear teeth along its entire circumference. A synchronous motor 55 is mounted on base In adjacent timing control plate 54. Motor 55 operates at 18 R. P. M. and is geared through reduction gearing to turn timing control plate at 1 R. P. M.

Adjacent timing control plate 54 is a vertical shaft 56, on which are pivotally mounted a pair of U-shaped arms 57 and 58. The upper portions of arms 51 and 58 extend above plate 54 and their lower portions beneath plate 54. Mounted on the upper portions of arms 5'! and. 58 are a pair of rolling action snap switches 59 and 60. Switches 59 and 65 have ball pointed contacts 6| and 52, which are pointed downwardly to contact plate 54. Switches 59 and 6B are normally in closed position, but when contacts 6| and 62 are moved upwardly from to 5 inch by the raised portions of the circular paths on plate 54, the switches open with a snap action.

Because the positioning of timing control plate 54 with respect to switches 59 and 56 is important for the proper operation of the switches, plate 54 is mounted on three ball bearings. One ball bearing is mounted on the lower portion of each of U- shaped arms 5'! and 58, so that it contacts the lower surface of timing control plate 54. This makes the positioning of timing control plate 5 1 with respect to contacts 5! and 52 of switches 59 and 55 uniform at all times. A third ball bearing is mounted beneath the opposite side of timing control plate 54 for proper balance. Ihe ball bearings which are held by arms 57 and 58 are adjustable from the bottom of base it) to control their height.

Attached to the upper portions of arms 57 and 58 are a pair of timing control rods 63 and 54, which extend across plate 54 to project outwardly through openings which extend along one side of base If). Adjacent these openings is a chart 55, which has a series of grooves along its upper and lower edges, with lettered markings corresponding thereto. The letters on the top of the chart extend from A to Q when read from left to right and those on the bottom are in the opposite order.

Timing control rods 63 and 54 may be moved transversely to rest in any of the grooves in chart 65. Rods 63 and 64 are slightly bent, one downwardly and one upwardly, so that they will remain under slight tension in the grooves in which they are placed. The top of chart G5 is marked 0. D. at one end and Right at the other end, to indicate that its corresponding timing control rod 63 controls the lighting in the right hand compartment of box It, which is viewed with the right eye. The bottom of chart 65 is marked 0. S. at one end and Left at the other end, to indicate that its corresponding rod 54 controls the lighting in the left hand compartment of box H, which is viewed with the left eye.

A three-position toggle switch 66 is mounted in base I5, with its control projecting outwardly therefrom adjacent chart 65. When switch 86 is in its center position, all parts of my device are turned off. When switch 65 is in its upper position, marked Lights, the light bulbs 2: and 28 or 37 and 38 may be used, as selected by switch 39. When switch 55 is in its lower position, marked Motor Lights, both the lights and synchronous motor 55 are placed in operation.

Mounted in the lower portion of base i is a four-position selector switch 51 which has a control member 68 extending outwardly through an opening in the side of base it. Control member 58 may be moved horizontally to any of four po sitions marked as Normal, Transposed, Simultaneous Left and Simultaneous Right.

The grooves which are etched in plate 54 comprise a series of timing sequences which are used in visual training. There are a total of seventeen different sequences available, corresponding to the letters A to Q. A timing chart 69, which is attached to the front of pedestal I I, shows the exact timing and pattern of each sequence. The grooves on chart 55 into which timing control rOds 63 and 54 are fitted are so spaced that rods 63 and 64 may only be placed in alternate paths on plate 5: 54'. Plate 54. thus has a total ofthirty four con-1 centric circular paths.

Additional variations in the timing duration and sequences may be obtained through the use of selector switch 6?. When switch fi'l. is in normal position, the timing sequence will be that selected by the placing of timing control rods 63 and Eli exactly as shown on timing. chart as. When switch BI is in transposed position, the timing sequence will be exactly the opposite of that which is shown on timing chart 6.). In other words, the lighting for the left eye will? be that shown on the chart for the right. eye and vice versa. When switch Si is in simultaneous left position, the timing sequence for both eyes will be that for which the left timing control rod is set as shown on chart 69. and the dashing of the lights will be simultaneous for both the left and right eyes. When switch 61. is in simultaneous right position, the timing sequence will be that for which the right timing control rod is set and the flashing will be simultaneous for both eyes.

In order that my device may be used for types of visual training where controlled sequence of lumination to either or both eyes is necessary. I provide a hood 70, which is adapted to be removably inserted between headpiece 40 and box ll.

Hood 10 comprises a pair of rectangular chambers. The bottom of hood H3 is provided with apertures which fit over light holders 33 and 3. 3, so that light from bulbs 31 and 38 is not blocked when hood it is in place.

The bottom of hood 10 is also provided with a pair of small holes ll and 12 which are adapted to fit over a pair of pins 13 and M, which are positioned in front of glass 22, between light holders 33 and 34.

In use, hood in is installed by moving headpiece Ml away from box l! and then fitting holes H and "i2 over pins 13 and M.

I-Ieadpiece ii! is then moved toward box I! by means of control &8. Hood H! is slightly smaller in its outer dimensions than headpiece it and isadapted to slide within headpiece 43, the interior of it is provided with small pieces of felt to minimize friction.

In operation, hood iii provides a closed chamber leading from each eye to the sources of light, so that all extraneous light is excluded and the amounts, frequency and duration of light reachinb each eye can be separately controlled.

Hood iii is adapted to slide within headpiece it for one to two inches, to permit a variation in the distance setting of headpiece it from box ii. Since some types of visual training targets. now in use require that the eyes be a shorter distance from the target, I also provide a second hood which is identical in construction, installation and function with hood iii except that it is of shorter length. Instead of two separate hoods, I may also provide one collapsible or variable length hood.

In other types of visual training, ity is necessary for the patient to have access to glass, 22 for the purpose of using the hands in making drawrings or tracing patterns. For this type of training I provide a septum 75, one end of which is U-shaped and is adapted to be removably fitted by friction grip around a center piece 16, which is vertically positioned on the inside of headpiece til. Septum l5 assures that each eye can see only one half of glass 22 or one half of a target.

In order to maintain headpiece 40 from undeir d m vement towardv or aw y" from box l1 once it has been set at the desired distance, I provide a shaft locking device comprising a lock rod l'l', which is. screw threaded through the side of box I 1-,. extending transversely to contact the side of shaft 45,. Lock rod ll has a manually operated lock control 18, which may be turned to tighten it against shaft 4'5. When tightened, the frictional engagement of the end of lockrod 11' against the side of shaft 45 pre vents the movement of shaft 45 and thus prevents any accidental change in the distance between headpiece 40 and box I7. In use, lock control 7-8 should be loosened before and tightened after each change is made in the positioning of headpiece 40.

The front of headpiece 4B is provided at its center with a circular forehead rest 79, which is positioned above and between lens openings ll and 4-2 to properly position the head and eyes of the patient.

Surrounding lensv openings 4! and 42 are a pair of lens holders, and BI which are semi-circular in shape, each of which is provided with three concentric grooves for holding up to three lenses. A. pair of spring wire lens guards 32 and 83 are attached to. headpiece 40 between lens holders Bit and ill to guard the lenses from accidental displacement.

Positioned adjacent lens openings ll and 42 opposite lens holders Bil and 3|, are a pair of semicircular charts 8.4 and 65 which are marked in mm. with figures starting at 95 at their lower ends and continuing to 35 at their upper ends.

Furnished with my device are two lenses 86 and 8?, one right and one left, plano convex +5.00 diopters, with their optical centers 18 mm. from their geometric centers. Lenses 8% and 87 are mounted in circular metallic rings 58 and 89, which have outwardly extending lens handles 90 and 9|. Lens handles and 9! are offset 2716 from the optical center.

When lenses BB and 8'! are mounted in lens holders 8i). and 8!, they are rotatable within the grooves. Lens handles 90 and 9! overlap semicircular charts M and E5 and are used as pointers to indicate the setting of the lenses.

Targets which are made for stereographic instrumcnts have double views, one for each eye. The distance from one point on one picture to the same point on the other picture is called the separation of the target. The lenses of my device are adapted to be set for any separation from 35 to 95. mm. and thus can be used with any stereoscopic targets now in use.

It should be noted that the lens separation in my device is variable without actualy moving the lenses themselves closer together or farther apart. This is accomplished by the use of rotatable lenses having offset optical centers.

As the lenses to and 8'! are turned in lens holders 30 and 8!, vertical and horizontal prismatic powers are formed as vector components of the prismatic difference from the geometric centers of the lenses to the optical centers. Since the vertical prismatic vectors are both in the same direction, their effect is cancelled. The horizontal vectors, however, are in opposite directions and are therefore additive.

Semi-circular charts 84 and 85 are calibrated to show the lens separation when both lens holders 3 and 9| are set at the same position. If desired, vertical prismatic effects can be introduced by setting lenses 86 and 81 for different positions on charts 84 and 85. It is also possible,

by setting the lens separation at a different amount than the target separation to obtain base in or base out prismatic effect.

As previously stated, my device can be used with any type of target and for any type of visual training now in use. The uses of my device will be briefly summarized.

My device may be used with Telebinocular-type targets such as skills cards by setting lenses 86 and 8'! to 95 mm. separation on charts 84 and 85. septum i is inserted and front lights 3'! and 38 are used. I-Ieadpiece 60 may be set at any desired distance from box l1.

My device may be used with Tel-Eye-Trainertype targets by again setting lenses 86 and 81 to 95 mm. separation and using front lights 31 and 38. A long hood l6 should be used for distance techniques and a shorter hood for intermediate or near points techniques.

My device may be used with Lange-type targets by setting the lenses 8% and 81 to 77 mm. separation for targets with this standard separation or 80-82 mm. with this separation. Hood H1 should be used and headpiece 40 moved to infinity setting on circular distance chart 5!. The back light bulbs 27 and 28 should be used.

My device may be used with Cheiroscope-type targets or for Cheiroscopic drawings by setting the lenses to 85 mm. separation. septum should be used and box I! tilted upwardly to a comfortable drawing position. Either light bulbs 37 and 38 or light bulbs 21 and 28 may be used. Where gross suppressions are found, it is desirable to use light bulbs 27 and 28 as transilluminators in drawing, since the illumination can be cut down on the non-suppression eye and left bright before the suppressing eye.

My device may be used with Peckham-type targets by removing headpiece 4!], turning shafts 55, i6 and 41 all the way toward box l! and using back lights 21 and 23. Selector switch '5'! should beset to Simultaneous Left or Simultaneous Right position.

My device may be used with Vectoluminatortype targets or as a Flash Box by removing headpiece ifl, turning shafts 45, $6 and 31 all the way in and using back light bulbs 21 and 28. My device may be used as a Tracing Box in the same way and by tilting box H to a comportable tracing angle.

In order that the timing control mechanism of my device may be used with other visual training instruments, I provide a pair of three-wire sockets, 92 and 93, which are mounted on the rear of base ii The timing control mechanism of my device may thus be used to operate other instruments or to operate other instruments at the same time that my device is in use.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a visual training device, means for controlling the flashing of electric lights comprising a rotatably mounted circular plate having a plurality of concentric paths thereon, each of said paths comprising a plurality of spaced depressions, a pair of arms pivotally mounted on a shaft adjacent said plate, said arms extending over said plate, a snap action switch mounted on each of said arms above said plate, said snap action switches adapted upon rotation of said plate to be caused to open and close by the spaced depressions in said plate, and a control rod attached to each of said arms, said control rods manually operable to move each of said arms so that the snap action switch thereof is controlled by any of the paths on said plate, one of said rods and arms controlling the sequence of lumination for the left eye and the other of said rods controlling the sequence of lumination for the right eye.

2. In a visual training device, means for controlling the fiashing of electric lights comprising a rotatably mounted circular plate having a plurality of concentric paths thereon, each of said paths comprising a plurality of spaced depressions, a pair of arms pivotally mounted on a shaft adjacent said plate, said arms extending over said plate, a snap action switch mounted on each of said arms above said plate, said snap action switches adapted upon rotation of said plate to be caused to open and close by the spaced depressions in said plate, a control rod attached to each of said arms, said control rod manually operable to move each of said arms so that the snap action switch thereof is controlled by any of the paths on said plate, one of said rods and arms controlling the sequence of lumination for the left eye, the other of said rods and arms controlling the sequence of lumination for the right eye, and switch means adapted to transpose each of said sequences of lumination to the opposite eye and to provide simultaneously for both eyes the sequence of lumination for which either of said rods and arms is set.

3. A control device for electrical impulses comprising a substantially flat circular plate made of engravers brass, said plate having a design superimposed thereon through a silk screen or lithographic process, said design formed of asphalt paint which is impervious to acid, said plate having said design etched thereon through the application of acid to said plate, so that the portions of said plate not covered with asphalt paint are etched to a depth of substantially inch, said design forming a plurality of paths of raised and depressed portions on the surface of said plate, said portions adapted to cause the operating members of electrical switches to be moved upwardly and downwardly for the control of electrical impulses in desired sequences.

CHARLES W. OTT.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

